Design with Confidence.
Advocate with Ease.

Curated construction education for designers who want to be an asset on the job site and an advocate for their clients.

Two people reviewing blueprints on a construction site inside a house under renovation. A woman in black and a man in a checkered shirt lean over a table with plans, color swatches, and scissors. Construction materials and window-covered walls are visible in the background.

DESIGN WITH CONFIDENCE   |   COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY   |   ADVOCATE WITH EASE

Person discussing various wood and laminate flooring samples and design plans at a table.

Do you struggle with:

  • Clients falling in love with a design that can’t be built on time or within budget?

  • Feeling a lack of confidence on the job site and working with contractors?

  • Feeling unsure how your design choices impact labor, materials, and the build timeline?

  • Watching your design slowly get value-engineered and watered down during construction?

A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair in a black shirt is leaning over a table, working on architectural blueprints at a construction site, with large windows and a wooden frame in the background.

We Get It. And We Got You.

We’re designers too. We know how heartbreaking it is to have your vision slowly chipped away because of timelines, budgets, or miscommunications with the build team. You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to be that way.

When it comes to designing the space of your clients dreams, the most important thing your clients need from you is to present a design that can be built on their timeline and within their budget, in addition to being functional and gorgeous. 

At Built4Design Residential Academy, that’s precisely what we teach you to do.  You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of construction so you understand how each of your design choices affect your client’s timeline and bottomline. 

We also want you to be fierce and scrappy advocates for your clients and the design they choose so we teach you to do that too.

Don’t let the lack of construction knowledge erode your amazing design. Put our 20+ years of design and construction experience to work for you and your clients. We’ve helped hundreds of designers bridge the gap between vision and reality.

We all know that knowledge is power and when you know how things are built, you will be confident that your design will be not only realistic, but exactly what your client wants and needs.

Built4Design Residential Academy gives you the skills, language, and tools you need to confidently design spaces that actually get built the way you imagined them.

We’ll Teach You To:

  • Icon of a pencil, paper, and a ruler representing design or drafting

    Design with Confidence

    You shouldn’t have to cross your fingers and hope your design survives construction. We teach you how each design decision affects the build—from materials to manpower—so you can create with intention and confidence. No more “fingers crossed,” just solid foundations and stunning results.

  • Two speech bubbles with lines representing text, on a black background.

    Communicate Like a Pro

    You don’t need a hard hat to speak contractor. We’ll teach you how to communicate your design vision in the language of construction so you're taken seriously on-site—and your designs are respected, not reinterpreted. Clarity beats conflict every time.

  • A graphic icon of a person with hands on hips wearing a cape, symbolizing a superhero.

    Be Your Client’s Hero

    Your clients don’t just want beautiful—they want results. By becoming construction-savvy, you’ll be their trusted guide through the chaos of the build process. You’ll make their dream space real—and become the reason they rave about you to everyone they know.

Join The List
A woman giving a presentation to an audience in a room decorated with wall-mounted tools and artwork, with a large screen displaying architectural sketches.

How It Works:

Choose Your Course

Whether you prefer live workshops, virtual bootcamps, or learning at your own pace, we’ve got an option that fits your schedule. Select the pathway that meets you where you are—and gets you where you want to go.

Learn All About Construction

Understand how homes are actually built, what it costs, and how your design choices impact timelines and budgets. Learn the process, the costs, and the language of contractors.

Celebrate With Your Clients

Pop the cork—you did it! Your design came to life exactly as you imagined it: on time, on budget, and absolutely stunning. Your clients are thrilled, the contractor’s impressed, and you’re the design hero they’ll never forget.

What They’re Saying:

  • Student

    Elizabeth’s approachable and engaging teaching style made the complexities of building construction easy to understand and apply. Her course is an invaluable resource for any interior designer looking to more confidently navigate the technical aspects of their projects.

    CAREN HENDERSON
    Petite Design Studio

  • Guest Lecturer

    “Elizabeth became the most requested speaker for my curriculum. So much, that I asked her to speak at a large event for the Interior Design Society. Again, she spoke with so much confidence and quiet assurance that the audience loved her. Her straightforward approach and the kind, gentle manner with which she speaks completely engages an audience."

    ANGIE MORSE
    Heritage School of Interior Design

  • Student

    "I highly recommend Elizabeth Lord's teaching style for anyone interested in construction and interior design. She is an amazing teacher who is patient, funny, and kind. Her hands-on approach to teaching allows students to fully engage with the material and gain practical skills. Additionally, her extensive knowledge of the industry ensures that her students are equipped with the latest information and trends. Overall, Elizabeth's teaching style is top-notch and will leave you wanting to learn more."

    ELIZABETH MONDO
    Construction Basics Student
    Heritage School of Interior Design

  • Guest Lecturer

    "Elizabeth Lord is a fantastic teacher and presenter.  Her subject matter expertise is enhanced by her ability to communicate to the audience while engaging them into a safe learning environment.  She connects to various students/learners' ages and skill levels. I would have her back in the classroom anytime."

    PROFESSOR ERIC HOLT
    University of Denver
    Daniels College of Business

  • Student

    "I had Elizabeth for construction basics at Heritage School of Interior Design and she is a fantastic teacher! She has the ability to create a non-stressful class environment where the students feel comfortable asking questions and engaging in the subject matter. She truly cares about the success and wellbeing of her students, inside and outside of the classroom. Her knowledge and involvement in the interior design industry gives students the encouragement to succeed."

    MELISSA OUDEH
    Construction Basics Student
    Heritage School of Interior Design

  • Workshop Attendee

    "Whenever I know Elizbeth is going to be presenting, I make sure to never miss the opportunity! She is very engaging with her audience, and her down-to-earth approach is captivating and relatable! We hang onto every word she speaks, and she has a way to make the largest audience feel like an intimate experience. 10/10 recommendations!"

    DELILAH COLLINS 
    Owner / Designer
    Collins Design + Remodel

  • Student

    "Elizabeth is an absolutely wonderful teacher, I loved being in her class! Her abundance of knowledge coupled with a laid-back approach always made me feel welcomed, engaged, and comfortable to ask questions. She not only gives you real-world examples and advice, but also frames her classes so they are applicable to real situations in the industry."  

    Jolee McBreen
    Construction Basics Student
    Heritage School of Interior Design

Download our Free Guide:

“Get To Know The Home”
Checklist

Two home inspection checklists from Built4Design laid on gray surface, with black and gold accents, and contact information at the bottom.

Our Partners:

  • Thermador logo with stylized star
  • Black square with white text that reads, 'SHE BUILT FOUNDATION'.
  • Logo of NKBA Kbis Voices from the Industry, featuring bold black text on a white background.
  • Logo of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) with bold text and a simple design.
  • Logo of the Interior Design Society with the acronym 'ids' and the full name written beside it.
  • Logo for the Interior Design Society (IDS) in Denver, Colorado.
  • Heritage School of Interior Design logo with a stylized H and text.
  • CEDIA Expo logo
  • Logo for BKC Kitchen & Bath, featuring a gray square with 'bkc' in lowercase letters and the words 'kitchen & bath' to the right
  • Logo for Appliance Center, a Ferguson enterprise, featuring initials BC inside a circle.

See Us In Action:

Watch this short video to see how Built4Design Residential Academy equips you with the skills, language, and confidence to turn your designs into real spaces your clients will love—and your contractors will respect.